Adjustable firebaok



I E. H. HEADFORD.

n HST-AB E 7 No. 578,331. Patented Mar. 9, 1897.

r 2 Sheets-sheet 2. v E. H. HEADPORD.

ADJUSTABLE FIRBBAGK. I

I uv VENTOR pm/wza ATTORNEY.

V I %M 1 Pat W TNESSES UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

EDWVARD H. HEADFORD, OF DUBUQUE, IOWA, ASSIGNOR TO THE SCHREIBER &COUCHAR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, OF SAME PLACE.

ADJUSTABLE F'IREBACK.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 578,331, dated March 9,1897.

7 Application filed July 6, 1896. Serial No. 598,106. (No model.)

full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enableothers skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use thesame.

This invention relates to that part of a cook-stove commonly known as afireback;

, and the object of the invention is to produce a fireback which may beeasily and quickly adjusted to stoves of varying sizes and Without theuse of bolts or screws.

The invention will be fully hereinafter described, reference being hadto the accompanyingdrawings, in which Figure 1, Sheet 1, is a rearelevation of the main plate of the .fireback. Fig. 2 is a transversesection of the same in the line X X. Fig. 3 is a rear view inperspective of one of the end plates. Fig. 4 is a similar view of one ofthe bottom plates. Fig. 5, Sheet 2, is a similar View at a differentangle of the other bottom plate. Fig. 6 is a similar view of the wholeflreback put together as in use.

Similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts.

In the drawings, A designates the main plate, constituting the principalpart of the fireback, exposed directly to the fire in thecombustion-chamber of the stove. This is preferably corrugated, asshown, and at the upper edge is curved back, as clearly shown, thecurvedflange D being adapted to extend over the oven-plate a short distanceand prevent the falling of ashes betweenthe firebaok and the oven. Thisflange terminates in a downwardly-extending flange a, which helps toretain the end plates and which rests upon the oven-plate (not shown)when in position. The straight bottom edge of the mainplate is providedwith a retaining-flange b for the other edge of the end plate, formingby preference a beveled groove, as shown. Along the middle of the mainplate on the back side is formed a rib H with a plane outer face toserve as a bearing for the flexible tailpieces of the end plates.

The adjustable end plates B B are alike in form, but made right andleft, so as to be applied to opposite ends of the main plate. Incross-section they correspond very closely to the main plate, but aremade to fit neatly in the space between the flanges a, D, and b. Theinner end of each plate terminates in a rather narrow tail 0, which hasa slight forward curvature toward the main plate, so that when slid intoposition the tailpiece is sprung backwardly a little, and the tensionthus produced serves to hold the end plates in any desired position. Inpractice this tension is not so great, however, that the end platescannot be moved in and out by the hands alone, so that the adjustment ofthe fireback to different lengths of combustionchamber is easily andquickly effected. A lug f on each end plate engages the end of the mainplate and limits the inward sliding part of each groove 6 is an openingg, through which is slipped a tapered key or wedge G, having a suitablegib-head. An inclined seat for the wedge is formed in each groove.

A notched or roughened surface for both the beveled rib d and the wedgeG is represented in the drawings. This is not indispensable, however, asthe wedge holds securely enough on a plane surface.

The parts of the fireback are very quickly and easily connected andadjusted, the endwise. adjustment being performed by the hands alone,or,in the event of the parts sticking from rust or otherwise,by rappinglightly on the lugs jj, formed thereon for that purpose. In the samemanner the bottom plates are adjusted up and down, after loosening thekeys and fastened,where desired by drivture of any other kind ofboltless adjustable fireback with which I am familiar, as Well as thedifficulty of adjustment of such firebacks when made. This in practiceoften results in the breakage of the fireback, since it is almostimpossible to fit their parts together so nicely that they will slideeasily on each other.

In all other extension-backs of this kind the main plate when exposed tomuch heat bulges and warps away from the extension-wings. The bottomflange in my device overcomes this defect. The marginal flangestrengthens the main plate, prevents bulging or warping thereof, andretains the end plates and bottom extension-pieces in their properposition.

Having thus described my invention,what I claim as new, and desire tosecure by Letters Patent, is-

1. In a fireback, the combination of a' main plate having marginal,longitudinal flanges to retain the end plates, and end plates adapted toslide freely between said flanges and having a flexible tailpiece bentslightly toward said main plate and bearing on the same when inposition, whereby the end plates are forced against saidretaining-flanges elastically, substantially as described.

2. In a fireback, the combination of a main plate having marginal,longitudinal retaining-flanges for end plates, and a longitudinalbearing-rib near the middle thereof, of end plates fitting movablybetween said flanges, and having each a, tailpiece normally bendingslightly toward said main plate, and when in position bearing flexiblyagainst said bearing-rib, substantially as and for the purpose setforth.

3. In a fireback, the combination of a main plate having marginal,longitudinal, beveled flanges to retain end plates, and end platesadapted to slide between said marginal flanges loosely except as pressedaway from said main plate and into closer contact with its flanges, andhaving a backwardly-extending projection bearing on some plane portionof the main plate and tending by the deflection of some part of said endplates to force them outwardly against said flanges, substantially asdescribed.

4. In a fireback, the combination of a main plate having longitudinalretaining-flanges for end plates and a longitudinal bearingsurface for aflexible portion of said end plates, a pair of end plates fittingmovablyin said flanges, and having each a flexible, inwardly-benttailpiece impinging on said bearing-surface, and dovetailed transverserib to engage a bottom plate, a pair of bottom plates engaging said endplates by dovetailed grooves, and tapered wedges or keys to retain themin position, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.V

EDWARD H. I-IEADFORD.

WVitnesses:

. J. W. OoUcHAR, J. R. LINDSAY.

